Frame casing and display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display section, a frame casing including first and second divided frames, each of the first and second divided frames including first and second holes along a width direction of the frame casing, the first hole being closer to a back surface of the display section than the second hole, the first and second divided frames being attached to the display section by screws passing through the second holes, and a glass plate provided between a front surface of the display section and the frame casing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Patentapplication Ser. No. 12/450,512, filed on Sep. 29, 2009, which is basedon and claims priority from Japanese patent application 2007-090149,filed on Mar. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

The present invention relates to a frame casing provided on sidesurfaces of a display section and a display device incorporating thesame.

BACKGROUND ART

Various display devices, such as liquid crystal displays and plasmadisplays, have been used recently. These display devices usually includea rectangular display section,

Various frame casings have been attached to side surfaces of the displaysection in the past (see, for example, Patent document 1).

There is known a frame casing in which divided frames, which are dividedalong a circumferential direction of the frame, are connected to oneanother and attached to side surfaces of a display section.

[Patent document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, FirstPublication No, 2006-201318

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

With the above-described frame casing, however, the divided frames in astate in which the divided frames are connected to one another cannot beattached to display sections if the display sections have a variation(tolerance) in size. There is a problem that, if the divided frames areable to be attached to the display section, the divided frames may besubject to excessive stress. If the divided frames expand or contractdue to temperature changes in, for example, an outside environment,stress may concentrate on, for example, joint sections of the dividedframes. As a result, there arises a problem in that the joint sectionsmay be broken or damaged.

The frame casing not only holds and protects the display section, butaffects the appearance of the display device as a design factor.Accordingly, there is also a problem that the design effectiveness maybe impaired depending on the amount of expansion or contraction of thedivided frames.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementionedcircumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a framecasing and a display device with prolonged durability and long-termdesign effectiveness.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to solve the foregoing problems, the present invention providesthe following means.

A frame casing according to the present invention is provided on sidesurfaces of a display section, and includes: a plurality of dividedframes which are L-shaped and disposed along the side surfaces of thedisplay section with adjacent ends thereof along a circumferentialdirection overlapping one another; and a attaching section which isformed in a middle of a circumferential direction of each of theplurality of divided frames and which attaches the plurality of dividedframes to the side surfaces of the display section, total length of thedivided frames along the circumferential direction being greater thantotal length of the side surfaces of the display section along thecircumferential direction.

With the frame casing according to the present invention, the pluralityof divided frames are attached to the side surfaces of the displaysection so that the adjacent ends thereof along the circumferentialdirection overlap one another. The ends of the divided frames cantherefore be expanded and contracted freely. With this configuration,durability can be improved. Moreover, even if the divided frames expandor contract, the side surfaces of the display section can be preventedfrom being exposed. Accordingly, design effectiveness can be maintainedfor prolonged periods.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the dividedframe may include an inner peripheral wall section at one end of thedivided frame along the circumferential direction and at an innercircumferential side of the divided frame along a thickness direction ofthe divided frame, the inner peripheral wall section protruding alongthe circumferential direction of the divided frame.

With this configuration, the ends along the circumferential direction ofthe plurality of divided frames can be easily made to overlap oneanother.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the dividedframe may include: a base section disposed along the side surface of thedisplay section; and a front wall section disposed at an end portion ofthe base section along a width direction thereof, the front wall sectionextending in a direction perpendicular to the base section so as tocover an edge portion in front of the display section.

With this configuration, the divided frames can be reliably attached tothe side surfaces of the display section.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the attachingsection may be provided in a middle of the base section along thecircumferential direction, and the attaching section may include athrough hole in which a screw is inserted to be screwed into the sidesurface of the display section.

With this configuration, the divided frames can be easily attached to orremoved from the side surfaces of the display section.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the attachingsection may be provided in a middle of the base section along thecircumferential direction, and the attaching section may include athrough hole in which a screw is inserted to be screwed into the sidesurface of the display section.

With this configuration, attaching positions of the divided frames canbe adjusted easily.

In the frame casing according to the present invention, the base sectionmay be brought into contact with and attached to the side surface of thedisplay section.

With this configuration, the entire device can be made compact.

A display device according to the present invention includes a framecasing according to the present invention and the display section.

With the display device according to the present invention, similaradvantageous effects as those of the frame casing of the presentinvention can be provided.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, the ends of the divided frames alongthe circumferential direction overlap one another. Therefore, variationin the size of the display section and expansion and contraction of bothends of the divided frames can be tolerated. Accordingly, durability ofthe frame casing can be improved. Moreover, the total length of theplurality of divided frames along the circumferential direction isgreater than the total length of the side surfaces of the displaysection. Accordingly, if the divided frames expand or contract, the sidesurfaces of the display section can be prevented from being exposed.Accordingly, the design effectiveness of the frame casing can bemaintained for prolonged periods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display devicein FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of overlapping endportions of divided frames illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the displaydevice in FIG. 1 seen from a side surface.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a situation of each of thedivided frames being expanded or contracted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a situation of aprotective glass being disposed in front of the display section in FIG.4.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 display device2 divided frame3 display section4 through hole (attaching section)6 frame casing13 long base section (base section)14 short base section (base section)15 front wall section20 inner peripheral wall section22 fixing screwD width directionS circumferential direction

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device 1 includes arectangular parallelepiped-shaped display section 3 and a rectangularannular-shaped frame casing 6 which covers all the side surfaces of thedisplay section 3.

The display section 3 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or aplasma display. Screw holes, which are not illustrated, are formed onthe side surfaces of the display section 3. As illustrated in FIG. 2, arectangular annular-shaped protective frame 10 made of a metallicmaterial is provided on the side surfaces of the display section 3. Theprotective frame 10 protects the display section 3, The protective frame10 is disposed within the frame casing 6 and is therefore not exposed tothe exterior. Through holes, which are not illustrated, are formed onthe protective frame 10. The positions of the through holes correspondto the positions of the screw holes of the display section 3 when theprotective frame 10 is assembled to the display section 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the protective frame 10 includes an L-shapedback cover 25 on the surface thereof. The back cover 25 has four sidesurfaces 25 a along the side surfaces of the display section 3. Throughholes, which are not illustrated, are provided on the side surfaces 25 aof the back cover 25. The positions of the through holes correspond tothe positions of the screw holes of the display section 3 when the backcover 25 is assembled to the display section 3. The back cover 25constitutes the side surfaces of the display section 3.

The back cover 25 is not illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame casing 6 includes fourresin-made divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d along a circumferentialdirection S. The divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are L-shaped tocover corners of the display section 3.

The divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d include a long base section 13(base section) and a short base section 14 (base section) expanding asrectangular plates. The length (longitudinal dimension) of the long basesection 13 along the circumferential direction S is greater than thelength of the short base section 14 along the circumferential directionS.

The circumferential direction S refers to a circumferential direction ofthe frame casing 6 when the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d areattached to the display section 3 to form a rectangle annularconfiguration. The circumferential direction S used in the descriptionof each of the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d formed in an L-shapealso refers to the circumferential direction when each of them isattached to the frame casing 6.

The long base section 13 and the short base section 14 are jointedtogether at one ends thereof along the circumferential direction S, andare perpendicular to each other.

The long base section 13 and the short base section 14 have throughholes (attaching sections) 4 formed to penetrate the thickness directionthereof. A plurality of through holes 4 are provided at predeterminedintervals along the circumferential direction S. A plurality of throughholes 4 are also provided along a width direction D of the long basesection 13 and the short base section 14.

The width direction D refers to a direction perpendicular to thecircumferential direction S in the surfaces of the long base section 13and the short base section 14 provided along the surface of theprotective frame 10. The width direction D is a depth direction of thedisplay section 3 in a state in which the frame casing 6 is attached tothe display section 3.

The through holes 4 are formed in the middle of the circumferentialdirection S of the long base section 13 and the short base section 14.That is, the through holes 4 are not formed at the ends of the long basesection 13 and the short base section 1 in the circumferential directionS.

At one end portion (long side portion) of the long base section 13 andthe short base section 14 in the width direction D, there is provided anL-shaped front wall section 15 over the total length of the one endportion. The front wall section 15 extends along a directionperpendicular to the long base section 13 and the short base section 14.That is, the L-shaped front wall section 15 is provided along edges ofthe long base section 13 and the short base section 14. A folded wallsection 16 folded at a predetermined angle with respect to the frontwall section 15 is provided at one end portion (long side portion) ofthe front wall section 15. That is, the folded wall section 16 isprovided along the edge of the front wall section 15 at a predeterminedangle with respect to the front wall section 15. The long base section13, the short base section 14, the front wall section 15 and the foldedwall section 16 are formed integrally with one another.

An inner peripheral wall section 20 is provided at the ends of the longbase section 13 and the front wall section 15 along the circumferentialdirection S so as to protrude along the circumferential direction S. Thethickness dimension of the inner peripheral wall section 20 is smallerthan the thickness dimensions of the long base section 13 and the frontwall section 15. That is, the inner peripheral wall section 20 isthinner than the long base section 13 and the front wall section 15. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the inner peripheral wall section 20 is providedat inner side sections 13 a and 14 a of an inner circumferential sideamong side portions of one ends in the thickness direction of the longbase section 13 and the front wall section 15. The inner side surface ofthe inner peripheral wall section 20 is flash with the inner sidesurfaces of the long base section 13 and the front wall section 15.

The sum of the length (total length) of the long base sections 13 andthe short base sections 14 of all the four divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 cand 2 d along the circumferential direction S is shorter than the sum ofthe length (total length) of all the side surfaces of the displaysection 3 along the circumferential direction. Accordingly, asillustrated in FIG. 1, when the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d areattached to the side surfaces of the display section 3, a clearance C1is formed along the circumferential direction S between the long basesection 13 of the divided frame 2 a and the short base section 14 of thedivided frame 2 d. Similarly, the clearance C1 is formed between thelong base section 13 of the divided frame 2 d and the short base section14 of the divided frame 2 c, between the long base section 13 of thedivided frame 2 c and the short base section 14 of the divided frame 2b, and between the long base section 13 of the divided frame 2 b and theshort base section 14 of the divided frame 2 a.

The length (total length) obtained by adding the sum of the length ofthe long base sections 13 and the short base sections 14 of all the fourdivided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d along the circumferential directionS to the sum of the length of the inner peripheral wall sections 20 ofall the four divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d along thecircumferential direction S is greater than the length (total length) ofthe side surfaces of the display section 3 along the circumferentialdirection. Accordingly, when the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 dare attached to the side surfaces of the display section 3, the ends ofthe divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d overlap one another in thethickness direction.

An operation of the display device 1 according to the thus-configuredpresent exemplary embodiment will be described,

First, the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are disposed along theside surfaces 25 a of the back cover 25 which constitutes the sidesurfaces of the display section 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the innerside surface of each divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d is broughtinto contact with the side surface 25 a of the back cover 25 so that theend portions of the short base section 14 and the front wall section 15are disposed outside of the inner peripheral wall section 20 which isadjacent to them along the circumferential direction S. At this time,the ends of the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d overlap one anotheralong the circumferential direction S. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG.4, regarding the inner side surface of each divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 cand 2 d, the long base sections 13 and the short base sections 14 arebrought into contact with the entire back cover 25, i.e., the four sidesurfaces 25 a.

Next, fixing screws 22 are inserted in the screw holes of the displaysection 3 and fastened thereto via the through holes 4 at the frontside, the through holes formed in the side surface 25 a of the backcover 25 and the through holes formed in the protective frame 10. Inthis manner, the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are fixed to theside surfaces of the display section 3, and their outer surfaces areflush with each other. The clearance C1 is formed between the long basesection 13 and the short base section 14 along the circumferentialdirections S. An inner peripheral wall section 20 is disposed in theclearance C1.

The front wall sections 15 cover the edge portions of the front surfaceof the display section 3 along the entire circumference. An end of thefolded wall section 16 is brought into contact with the edge portion ofthe front surface of the display section 3,

In this manner, each of the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d isattached to the side surfaces of the display section 3. No connectingportions for connecting the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d areprovided. Accordingly, the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are notconnected together and are released from one another.

The frame casing 6 of the display device 1 may expand or contract due totemperature change of an outside environment.

In the display device 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment,the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are not connected together andthe divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are free from each other at theend portions along the circumferential direction S. Moreover, theclearance C1 is set to be longer than a distance of displacement of thedivided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d when expanded. Accordingly, asillustrated in FIG. 5, even if the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 dexpand or contract, adjacent divided frames do not interfere with eachother. That is, by forming the clearance C1, expansion and contractionof the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are allowed.

Since the total length of the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d alongthe circumferential direction S is greater than the total length of theside surfaces of the display section 3, the ends of the divided frames 2a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d overlap one another. Moreover, the length of theinner peripheral wall section 20 at areas in which the divided frames 2a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d overlap one another is set to be greater than adistance of displacement of the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 dwhen contracted. Accordingly, even if the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 cand 2 d contract, the side surfaces of the display section 3 are notexposed to the outside. That is, even if the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2c and 2 d expand or contract, only a degree of exposure of the innerperipheral wall section 20 is varied and the side surfaces of thedisplay section 3 are still covered with the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2c and 2 d.

The above-described configuration which allows expansion and contractionof the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d also tolerates variation insize of the display section 3. That is, the total length of the sidesurfaces of the display section 3 along the circumferential directionmay be varied. The variation is tolerated by controlling the areas wherethe divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d overlap one another. Inparticular, since the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are formed inL-shape, any variation occurring in any side of the display section 3can be tolerated.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, if a protective glass 26 is disposed in frontof the display section 3, the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d areattached via the fixing screws 22 inserted through the through holes 4at the rear side. Accordingly, a clearance C2 is formed between an endof the folded wall section 16 and the front surface of the displaysection 3. The protective glass 26 is disposed in the clearance C2.

As described above, with the display device 1 according to the presentexemplary embodiment, even if size of the display section 3 varies orthe divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d expand or contract due totemperature change, the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d do notinterfere with each other. Accordingly, durability of the frame casing 6can be improved. With the inner peripheral wall section 20 beingprovided, even if the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d expand orcontract, the side surfaces of the display section 3 can be preventedfrom being exposed. Accordingly, the design effectiveness of the framecasing 6 can be maintained for prolonged periods. Since the innerperipheral wall section 20 enables the outer surfaces of the dividedframes 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d to be flush with each other, the designeffectiveness of the frame casing 6 can further be improved.

Inner surfaces of the divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are broughtinto contact with the side surfaces of the display section 3 and areattached only by the fixing screws 22. Thus, the number of attachingparts can be reduced without sacrificing attaching strength.Accordingly, the entire display device 1 can be made further compact.

The divided frames 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d can be attached to or removedfrom only by the fixing screws 22. Accordingly, the frame casing 6 canbe attached rapidly and easily. The protective glass 26 can be attachedto or removed from with a lessened burden.

The back cover 25 is provided in the above-described exemplaryembodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. No backcover 25 may be provided at all. With this configuration, the entiredisplay device can be made further compact.

The technical range of the present invention is not limited to theabove-described exemplary embodiment. Various modifications can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to a frame casing provided on sidesurfaces of a display section and to a display device incorporating thesame. According to the present invention, a frame casing with prolongeddurability and long-term design effectiveness can be provided.

1. A display device, comprising: a display section; a frame casingcomprising first and second divided frames, each of the first and seconddivided frames comprising first and second holes along a width directionof the frame casing, the first hole being closer to a back surface ofthe display section than the second hole, the first and second dividedframes being attached to the display section by screws passing throughthe second holes; and a glass plate provided between a front surface ofthe display section and the frame casing.
 2. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first divided frame comprises: a firstbase section comprising first and second ends; a second base sectionconnected to the first end; and a wall section provided at the secondend, wherein the second divided frame comprises: a third base section;and a fourth base section connected to the third base section, whereinthe first and second divided frames are disposed on side surfaces of thedisplay section such that the fourth base section overlaps with at leasta portion of the wall section, and wherein a clearance is formed betweenthe first base section and the fourth base section along acircumferential direction of the display section.
 3. The display deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the first divided frame further comprises:a first front wall section, the first front wall section comprising aninwardly folded section, wherein the second divided frame furthercomprises: a second front wall section, the second front wall sectionalso comprising an inwardly folded section, and wherein the glass plateis provided between the display section and the first front wall sectionand further between the display section and the second front wallsection.
 4. The display device according claim 1, wherein the glassplate comprises a protective glass.
 5. The display device according toclaim 1, wherein the frame casing is attached to and removed from thedisplay section only by said screws.
 6. The display device according toclaim 1, wherein the first divided frame comprises: a first front wallsection, the first front wall section comprising an inwardly foldedsection, and wherein the second divided frame comprises: a second frontwall section, the second front wall section also comprising an inwardlyfolded section.
 7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein theglass plate is provided between the display section and the first frontwall section and further between the display section and the secondfront wall section.
 8. The display device according to claim 1, whereinthe first divided frame comprises: a first front wall section, the firstfront wall section comprising an inwardly folded section, wherein thesecond divided frame comprises: a second front wall section, the secondfront wall section also comprising an inwardly folded section, andwherein the glass plate is provided between the display section and theinwardly folded section of the first wall section and further betweenthe display section and the inwardly folded section of the second wallsection.
 9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the widthdirection comprises a depth direction of the display section in a statein which the frame casing is attached to the display section.